Improvement in clasps



C. V. RICHARDS. Clasp.

No. 223,170. Patented Dec. 30,1879.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR:

42 a! may BY.

N. PEI'ERS. 'PNOTO-UTHQGRAFH ER. WASHINGTON. o c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES V. RICHARDS, OF SKOWHEGAN, MAINE.

IMPROVEM ENT IN CLASPS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 223,170, dated December 30, 1879; application filed June 28, 1879.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES VIRGIN RICHARDS, of Skowhegan, in the county of Somerset and State of Maine, have invented a new and Improved Clasp, of which the following is a specification.

The object of my invention is to provide a clasp that is simple in construction and operation and is adapted to various uses.

The invention consists in a case having its edges so arranged as to form jaws, between which a flanged finger-piece is pivoted, and of a wire'loop or' tongue adapted to pass through aslot in the case, and having its ends passed through the flanges of the finger-piece.

When the clasp is closed the material that is to be supported or held is pressed into a slot in the case by the wire loop, and is thus securely retained in place by the loop or tongue being slightly clasped by the flanges of the fin ger-piece.

In the drawin s, Figure lis a vertical cross section, showing the clasp open. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section, showing the clasp closed. Fig. 3 is a rear view of the clasp.

Similar letters of reference indicate corre sponding parts.

A is a case, of metal, hard rubber, or other suitable material, provided with the jaws or cars l) D, which are formed by bending up the edges, or in some other suitable manner. A tinge-apiece, C, having flanges B B, is pivoted between the jaws DD by passing the studs L L, or studs riveted or fastened to the finger-piece, through the holes in these jaws D D.

The loop H consists of a wire or other suitable material, which is bent or constructed so that the two ends pass through the flanges B B of the finger-piece C, and the rounded part M passes into the slot F in the upper part of the case when the clasp is closed.

0 is a slot for fastening the clasp to the object from which it is to be suspended. K represents the cloth, leather, or other material that is to be held by the clasp.

The operation is as follows: When the clasp is open the material K that is to be suspended or held is placed in the position shown in Fig. 1. The loop H is then guided so that the rounded part M of the loop H will pass into the slot F and press the material K through this slot, when the clasp is closed. The clasp is closed by pressing the fingerpieee in the direction of the arrow Y, and the clasp will then be in the position shown in Fig. 2. The material K passes up through the slot F, over the rounded part M of the loop, and down through the slot again, and is thus held securely and cannot slip until the clasp is opened; or the loop. can pass through the material and into the slot F, and thus hold the material.

The advantages of my clasp are that it will not tear the garments or material held by it, is simpler in construction, and is not liable to get out of order like the clasps provided with springs, which are liable to loosen the hold on the material as soon as the spring weakens or is damaged.

My clasp will not scratch or injure the person who has it attached to his garments, as all the edges are turned outward.

My clasp is adapted to be used for various purposes, such as suspending garments and stockings, to secure the straps of valises and earpetbags, for pull-backs, &c., and for dental purposes, such as napkin-holder, rubber-dam holder, &c.

Having thus described my invention, I

claim as new and desire to secure by Let-.

ters Pa ent l. The combination, with the slotted case F A, having apertured jaws D D, of the flanged iingenpiece B C, pivoted between the jaws, having loop H, with rounded part M, attached thereto, and having studs L, as shown and described.

2. The combination, with the case A, provided with slot F, of the finger-piece C and loop H, as and for the purpose specified.

CHARLES VIRGIN RICHARDS.

Witnesses M. D. WARD, A. R. BIXBY. 

